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EKU Libraries COVID-19 Updates and Resources

This page contains all relevant information related to EKU Libraries current operations and response to the COVID-19 outbreak including updates to operations, access to virtual services, and other helpful links.

 

Below find information on:

 

Last updated October 7, 2020

Changes to Operations

  • The John Grant Crabbe Main Library building will have adjusted hours for the fall semester. Please visit our library hours for details.
  • The Music Library and Business Library branches are closed through Fall 2020.
  • Visitors are limited to just EKU students, faculty and staff. Only the main entrance (Little Entrance) is open.
  • EKU patrons will need to scan their official EKU ID -- their Colonel Card -- when entering the library building.
  • Masks are required.
  • Patrons are required to practice 6ft social distancing guidelines and wipe down the surfaces they used when leaving. 
  • The stacks are closed to patron browsing; to request an item, please visit our website or this FAQ to learn more. 

Food and Drink

In previous semesters, unrestricted food and beverages have been allowed in EKU Libraries.

Due to COVID-19 and the requirements for social distancing and mask wearing in all EKU buildings, EKU Libraries has made the difficult decision to temporarily change our food and drink policy for the Fall 2020 semester.

 

Food guidelines are:

  • Patrons must be in a social distanced location away from other patrons and library staff to consume food and beverages. Masks can be down/off only when actively eating or taking a drink.
  • Patrons are not allowed to consume food and beverages while moving or walking in the building.
  • Moving in the building = wearing a mask.

Library Spaces, Reserving Rooms and Group Meetings

  • All patrons are required to wear a mask. 
  • EKU patrons will need to scan their official EKU ID -- their Colonel Card -- when entering the library building.
  • Furniture in shared spaces has been rearranged to discourage large group congregations.
  • Spaces have been modified to provide barriers, additional spacing, and follow social distancing guidelines.
  • Unmediated room reservations for spaces in the Crabbe Main Library will be unavailable through the fall 2020 semester in order to adhere to state and CDC health and safety guidelines to meet capacity and social distancing recommendations.
  • The fourth floor of the main library is closed, including the Silent Study Zone.
  • The library has 10 study rooms on the first floor (basement level) that are limited to one-person occupancy. These are available on a first come, first serve basis and are not reservable.

Quiet Study and Noise Complaints

Due to COVID-19, EKU Libraries main library is currently a space where many activities are happening:

  • computer use and printing
  • studying
  • Zoom and online meetings for online only classes, online interviews, club and group events, etc. 
  • Personal phone calls necessary to balance work, school, and home 

 

In addition, our traditional quiet 4th floor is closed through the fall semester due to COVID-19 collection precautions. As a result, quiet study zone or floor is not currently being enforced at EKU Libraries. 

 

Some tips and courtesy recommendations:

  • Please bring and use headphones and do not use speaker phones or external laptop speakers.
  • Be courteous to other students: keep conversations low, be considerate and respectful to other patrons, and consider moving to another location when needed.
  • Need ear plugs? Please ask for a free pair at the help desk. 

 

If you feel that someone is causing a significant and extended disturbance outside of reasonable limits, do let us know at the library help desk.  

 

Does the Library have Space where I can Zoom?

  • The library has 10 study rooms on the first floor (basement level) that have a one-person occupancy and are available on a first come, first serve basis. 
  • The study rooms are not equipped with their own ventilation so masks must be worn while in one of the study rooms.
  • Unmediated room reservations for spaces and groups in the Crabbe Main Library will be unavailable through the fall 2020 semester in order to adhere to state and CDC health and safety guidelines to meet capacity and social distancing recommendations.
  • Visitors are limited to just EKU students, faculty and staff. Only the main entrance (Little Entrance) is open.
  • EKU patrons will need to scan their official EKU ID -- their Colonel Card -- when entering the library building.
  • Patrons are required to practice 6ft social distancing guidelines and wipe down the surfaces they used when leaving. 

Computers, Laptops, and Printing

  • Laptops are available for semester-long checkout. Please email us for more information.   As of 10/6/2020, all laptops available for long-term use have been checked out. Please contact the EKU GEEKS to inquire about possible 2 week checkout laptops.
  • Desktop computers are available in the building for use in the library by current EKU faculty, staff and students. 
  • Printing is available in the building and there are several printers available, including color and Cloud printers. Students, faculty, and staff and allotted $25.00 in printing each semester. The libraries participate in the Pharos printing system supported by EKU IT.
  • Please remember that visitors to the John Grant Crabbe Main Library are required to practice 6 feet social distancing guidelines, and to wipe down their used surfaces when leaving. This includes wiping down keyboards, mice, and the work areas surrounding any used desktop computers.

 

Virtual Services

Online Collections

There are a plethora of resources available online for your research.  Browse the complete list of online resources by subject or resource type.

Physical Materials

Due to the risks of sharing physical items without a quarantine period for them, the library has made the difficult decision to suspend the circulation of certain physical items that have been available in past semesters.

 

We apologize for any inconvenience this may pose, but the following items will not be available for the Fall 2020 semester:

  • Anatomy Models
  • Cables/Cords: HDMI, VGA, Dongle, etc.
  • Craft Bags: bags include an assortment of colored pencils, crayons, markers, and glue sticks
  • Computer Mice
  • Expo Markers and Whiteboard Erasers
  • Hammocks
  • Headphones (with and without attached microphones)
  • iPads
  • MacBook Chargers
  • Nexus 10 Tablets
  • PowerPoint Clicker
  • Scissors
  • Thumb Drives 

 

Borrowing Print and Physical Materials from EKU Libraries

  • The stacks are closed to patron browsing through Fall 2020.  
  • For access to physical materials, please use the library's main search and your Library Express account to request print books for check-out. You can easily request a book for checking out by clicking on the "Request It" link attached to a book's record

    • Need Help? Please take a minute to view the below linked FAQs and how-to videos on how to request print materials through Library Express.

  • Checking out Print Books: Richmond Campus based Faculty, Staff, and Students
  • Checking out Print Books: Regional Campus and Online Only Faculty, Staff, and Students
  • Once the materials have been pulled by our Library Express team, there are different options available to obtain the books you have checked out:
    • On-campus patrons may pick up their books from a cart in the Main Library
    • Branch libraries remain closed and are currently not an option for pick-up
    • Richmond campus faculty and staff may request that their items be mailed to their campus mailing address
    • Regional campus and online-only students, faculty and staff may have their items mailed to their home address. This process will take longer than in previous semesters due to COVID-19 precautions, so please allow extra time for arrival of materials.
  • EKU Libraries will prioritize the purchase of books in eBook format that support the curricula. Patrons are encouraged to use their local public libraries for popular and fiction reading needs.

Returning Books

  • We are now accepting returns!
  • If you are local and currently have physical items from EKU Libraries or Library Express that are past due, please return those items as soon as you can using either of our drop box locations. One is located outside the library's main entrance to the right of the doors. The other is on University Drive to the left near the Ravine. (This FAQ has photos showing where the book drops are located.)
  • Books will not be processed for at least 4 days after their return based on current best known practices related to the COVID-19 virus.
  • If you would like to return books by mail, the address is:

EKU Libraries

103 Libraries Complex

521 Lancaster Avenue

Richmond, KY 40475

Library Express and Interlibrary Loan

  • Library Express, our Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery service, will have modified services for the fall semester.
  • The stacks are closed to patron browsing through Fall 2020. A request will need to be placed using your Library Express account to checkout physical and print items.
  • Need help making a request? Here are links to FAQs and How-To videos for requesting physical and print materials:
  • Requests for items we do not own will be reviewed. EKU Libraries will prioritize the purchase of books in eBook format that support the curricula. Patrons are encouraged to use their local public library for popular and fiction reading needs.
  • Until further notice, we will no longer borrow textbooks from other libraries.
  • Textbooks currently on Course Reserve in the Main Library will be filled with a two-week loan period, with some exceptions. Reserve items requested from the Music or Business libraries are subject to review.

Pickup/Delivery Options

  • On-campus patrons may pick up books from the self-service shelves in the Main Library lobby.
  • Branch libraries remain closed through the Fall 2020 semester and are currently not an option for pick-up.
  • Richmond campus faculty and staff my request that their items be mailed to their campus mailing address.
  • Regional campus and online-only students, faculty and staff may have their items mailed to their home address. This process will take longer than in previous semesters due to COVID-19 precautions, so please allow extra time for arrival.
  • Are you working from home or taking online-only classes through the Fall semester and not coming to Richmond campus? Library Express will mail materials to home addresses for all patrons, when requested, for Fall 2020 only.

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